https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/what-were-getting-wrong-about-technology-schools-debate-0
What is the main point of the post?
The main point of this article was to bring to light the debate of the use of technology in the classroom. It has been something that has been discussed among teachers and administrators alike for many years. The author of the article believed that this specific debate has been long lost because technology is everywhere in our lives. Children and parents sit in front of screens constantly during their free time, so we cannot simply remove technology from our lives.
Is there truth behind the decision of the principal from Australia removing technology from classrooms?
Personally I disagree with the decision by the principal to remove all technology from classrooms in Australia. He believed that they are too much of a distraction. However, there may be some truth behind his decision to do that. The article mentions that having laptops, smart boards, and tablets in the classroom has not been the insane catalyst to a much improved education that many people believed it would be. The author of the post even says that these pieces of technology “join a long line of promised solutions that ultimately have fallen by the wayside – television, radio, ballpoint pens all offered similar promises at some point”. There are benefits to technology in certain situations, but it should never be relied on completely for education.
In what ways do we use technology?
We use technology in many different ways in our daily lives. For example, when we wake up in the morning, we use our phone alarm to wake us up. Then we go downstairs and eat breakfast while we watch the morning weather report on tv. We then go to our job where technology is surrounding us as well whether it be typing on a computer, taking some phone calls, or sending a few simple emails. After that we come home and unwind by watching the evening news, listening to some music from the radio in the shower, and then resetting our phone alarm to wake us up again the next morning. It is a constant cycle of being surrounded by technology.
Is it important to teach kids how to use technology effectively and meaningfully?
It is important to teach kids how to use technology in an effective and meaningful way because that is when they will get the most benefit from it. With knowing how to use technology kids can take the proper precautions to protect themselves from dangers online, they can complete projects, know how to gather reliable information, and they can even communicate with one another. It is important to show kids these things so that they will take these skills with them through their lives because they may become useful down the road.
Why should we teach kids about using technology safely and effectively?
Kids should be taught how to use technology in a safe way because they can protect themselves and stay out of harms way. It is also important that kids be shown how to use technology effectively, especially in the classroom, because then they will learn to stay on track and use the skills they have gained to their advantage when it comes to things like projects or homework.
My thoughts on the article…
I personally feel that while technology is useful in the classroom, it should not be relied on for everything. I understand the use of technology such as a smart board. That will be helpful to the teacher and way less messy than a chalk board. The smart board would also encourage kids to maybe go up to the board to participate in lessons because it’ll be something new to them. Computers in a classroom are also an essential. That way kids can do research, type papers, or play educational games in their free time. I just don’t think every single assignment for homework or projects should all be online. There definitely should be a balanced use of technology in the classroom.
Technology In Teaching 